The Coast Guard offers a number of educational programs and funding sources for its Servicemembers and family members. The programs that are offered by the Coast Guard are similar in some ways to other programs offered elsewhere, but some of the programs are very unique to the United States Coast Guard only.
SOCCOAST. The Servicemember Opportunity College Training Degree program is offered for the families and Servicemembers of the United States Coast Guard. It is a family education program to offer help attending colleges that offer bachelor and associate degree programs accessible to Coast Guard, Marine and Navy installations worldwide. Despite sharing it with the other two services, there are some facilities that are specifically aimed just at Coast Guard personnel, their spouses, and their families. There are a number of degree programs in the SOCCOAST program that are distance learning related, with no residency requirement, so you can literally attend college online from anywhere in the world. SOCCOAST colleges and universities are gathered into networks and groups, and each of the member colleges accepts and transfers credits and classes from any of the others.
It is a program that is specifically to assist you and your family members can progress successfully toward earning a degree even if you are transferred several times during your schooling. To learn more the best place for information is the SOCCOAST Internet Web site for more information. Coast Guard Mutual Assistance. CGMA is a smaller program, and it offers a supplemental education grant for Coast Guard Servicemembers and their families, up to one hundred sixty dollars per year toward any family members educational expenses. This does not pay for nor is it intended to pay for tuition however. It can be used to pay for ASVAB testing, SAT Testing, CLEP testing, or other study guides or other educational related expenses. Coast Guard Mutual Assistance also offers education related loan opportunities, but they must eventually be paid back. To apply contact the CG mutual assistance officer at your local Coast Guard base.
Additionally, the Coast Guard offers financial support for DANTES, CLEP and various other tests at no cost to Servicemembers, dependents or their families. Admiral Roland Guaranteed Student Loan. This is a type of Stafford guaranteed student loan available to Coast Guard Servicemembers, dependents and spouses. Application Deadline March 15th each year.
There are a number of additional scholarships and loan programs available to Coast Guard Servicemembers, dependents and spouses. To apply visit the U.S. Coast Guard Web site on the Internet, or inquire at your local Coast Guard station, or recruitment center for more information.
